Postoperative Instructions After a Cosmetic Reconstruction

The following instructions must be respected to promote healing. Note that it is normal to experience some discomfort and swelling after the surgery.

Day of surgery

Keep gauzes in the mouth for an hour or two by maintaining a firm pressure and replace them every half-hour, as needed.

Apply ice on the cheek at regular intervals (20 minutes every hour).

If you are bleeding, bite into a gauze or a humidified teabag for 20 minutes.

Blood-tinged saliva is a normal postoperative effect.

Warning

Do not eat anything until the bleeding has stopped.

Avoid drinking through a straw.

Do not rinse your mouth or spit.

Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol.

Do not eat hard foods.

Avoid strenuous activity and don’t forget to rest.

Pain

If you are experiencing some pain, take the medication that has been prescribed to you.

Diet

Only eat soft foods or warm liquids.

From the next day and until complete healing

Rinse your mouth three times a day with warm water and salt (2 ml or 1/2 tsp of salt in 250 ml or 1 cup of water).

Brush and floss every day to remove plaque and ensure better results in the long term. Avoid brushing near the extraction site for the first 72 hours.

Avoid eating hard foods (nuts, candies, ice).

Be aware that smoke, coffee, red wine and tea can stain your teeth.

If you play sports, ask for a custom-made mouth guard.

You may experience pronunciation difficulties and an increased amount of saliva. Everything should come back to normal within a week.

Bruising may appear on the skin. It will disappear after five to seven days.

You may have difficulty opening your mouth. It should come back to normal after four to five days.

If after three days the pain increases instead of decreasing, call us.

It is important to know that the brain takes a while to acknowledge the new position of the teeth or their thickness. You can expect that it will take a few days or a few weeks until you can close your mouth normally. If the problem persists after several weeks, call us at 450 465-7800.